I first started my Bibliolust posts in September 2008. That means this one would be the 48th — and I think four years is enough. It isn’t that I don’t lust after as many books. To the contrary, my use of ebook readers and increasing consumption of ebooks means it is often easier to lust. But there’s the flip side of the coin. It’s also easier to satisfy the lust more rapidly.
Over the last six months or so it’s seemed that I find and read most new books between the time I’ve posted one Bibliolust installment and before it’s time to post the next monthly installment. I don’t want to move this to more frequent installments so figure it’s a good time to call it an end. But I will go out with a big list. This month’s installment will include books that wouldn’t normally be in a Bibliolust post for a couple months — and it looks like October is going to be a great month. As for the statistics, I’ll save the final ones for a year-end post.
Here’s what’s on the horizon:
Bruce, Peter A. Carlin (October 2012)– Although I sometimes wonder what impact the subject has on the content of an “authorized” biography, there’s no way I’m missing one authorized by the Boss himself — especially since he’ll be playing in the area shortly after the book comes out. (I admit, though, to still being on the fence about a Springsteen biography that was released in early June.)
Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt, Chris Hedges and Joe Sacco — When I first heard these two were releasing a book that, in their words, looks at parts of America “that have been offered up for exploitation in the name of profit, progress, and technological advancement,” I was somewhat intrigued. I went beyond that when I learned the first chapter deals with Pine Ridge so I am still waiting for the library’s copy to arrive to complete my reserve request.
The Fall of the Stone City, Ismail Kadare (February 2013) — As you can see, the book isn’t slated for release in the U.S. until next year. Fortunately, the British publisher offered me a review copy so I will be reading and reporting on it before then. For some reason, Albania intrigues me (the story is set there during World War II) and I’ve thought for a while Kadare may well win the Nobel for Literature.
It’s Fine By Me, Per Petterson (October 2012) — I’ve been a big Petterson fan ever since I read Out Stealing Horses. While none have grabbed me quite as much, Petterson is a novelist whose books will always make my Bibliolust list.
Sweet Tooth, Ian McEwan (November 2012) — McEwan is another one of those author’s, like Petterson, who seems to have a spot reserved on my lust list whenever a new book comes out. McEwan has disappointed me perhaps a bit more than Petterson but when you’ve written a book that’s on my Desert Island Books list (Saturday), I figure you’ve earned the spot.
The Testament of Jessie Lamb, Jane Rogers — I’ve had my eye on this SF novel since it won the Arthur C Clarke Award in May. An opportunity to review it came up so you’ll hear more about it.
Waging Heavy Peace, Neil Young (October 2012) — Now how could a baby boomer music fan ever say no to a Neil Young autobiography? That’s especially so if, like me, you waded through the nearly 800-page biography of him published some eight years ago.
Who I Am: A Memoir, Pete Townshend (October 2012) — October must be musician biography/memoir month. While I’m not as big a fan of the Who as Springsteen and Young, this is another irresistible attraction.
Report Card:
- January-July 2012
- Total Bibliolust books: 29
- Number read: 25 (86.2%)
- Started but did not finish: 3 (10.3%)
- Number read: 25 (86.2%)
- Cumulative (September 2008-July 2012)
- Total Bibliolust books: 232
- Number read: 191 (82.3%)
- Started but did not finish: 17 (7.3%)
- Number read: 191 (82.3%)
…all disinterested lovers of books will always look to it … for refuge, a sort of cloistral refuge, from a certain vulgarity in the actual world
Walter Pater, Appreciations, with an Essay on Style
